Looking Back at the 20-21 School Year

August 11, 2021 in Uncategorized

This past school year, PSP scholars and mentors have gone above and beyond to keep in touch, grow as scholar/mentor groups, and continue preparing for college—all virtually and remotely.

Scholars and mentors reflected on their past year together and created visual journals about their experiences. The submissions were astounding. They identified high points—many PSP-related events and moments with their mentors— in their lives as a PSP scholar through a virtual world.

This video captures just a few of these high points of both scholars and mentors.

Since the pandemic began, PSP has updated and changed our programming to meet our community’s needs in a holistic way. While our primary mission is to support students on their path to college and career, we’ve always taken the approach that that success comes when students get to experience a full range of learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom.

This year, students and mentors together with the PSP team rose to that challenge.

 “Thank you PSP for giving me so many opportunities…. Especially this year, my senior year, with the college applications and financial aid workshops. They were a huge help.” – Vanessa, Graduating Senior

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Meet the PSP Class of 2021!

July 19, 2021 in Uncategorized

On Sunday, June 13, 2021 students, families, mentors, and supporters of Partnership Scholars came together virtually to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones of the graduating PSP Class of 2021.

PSP Grads from 7th Grade to Today (Slideshow):

The celebration included opening remarks by Lisa Ruben, PSP’s Executive Director, and Meg Sanchez, PSP’s Board Chair. They congratulated the graduating scholars and their families. Meg told scholars that it is because of their parents’ and caregivers’ encouragement and support that they as 7th graders were in a position to be eligible for PSP. “And it’s because of them that you now have a foundation to jump to the next chapter of your life,” shared Meg.

Click here to read what scholars from all four PSP regions shared about their time in PSP. 

One of the highlights of the virtual celebration was the mentor and scholar videos. Mentors gave a few words of wisdom to their scholars they’ve mentored for nearly six years. One mentor, Cathy Rodriguez, shared to her two scholars Anthony and Eduardo, “Over the last few years, it has been a pleasure watching you both take on the many challenges and adventures and at the same time keeping an open heart and mind. Remember to never quit before you try, continue to keep your dreams big, continue to climb, and continue to aspire to excellence.

Mentor Reflections on the Class of 2021:

Another special moment during the celebration was when students themselves spoke on their PSP experiences and shared their future endeavors.  Three scholars were selected to represent their regions and shared their own experiences and hopes for the future during the graduation:

Karla from El Monte, “It is a rewarding feeling knowing that whether we know what we want to do or not, we’re all rooting for each other and proud of each other. It’s been honor to have been surrounded by really great friends and students like them.”

Class of 2021 Reflections on their PSP Experience: 

This year, across all the regions PSP serves, 25 students graduated from the program, with scholars attending a variety of colleges, including as Colgate University, our founder’s Glenn Langer’s alma mater, UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona, and many more!

You can watch the full graduation ceremony here. 
Congratulations to the class of 2021, their families and their mentors!!